How does needle sharing put someone at risk for HIV infection?
When we talk about HIV being transmitted by sharing needles, we are talking about using the same IV needle, syringe and/or other IV “works” that have been used before by someone else, without proper cleaning. If one is injecting heroin, cocaine, morphine, steroids, or any other substances, and is sharing needles, syringes or other IV “works” that have not been properly cleansed, one is at a great risk for contracting HIV. The safest way to protect oneself against HIV infection is by not sharing needles, syringes or IV “works” with anyone, no matter how healthy he or she looks or how well one know him or her.
